Huge ape, tiny earthworm - What causes gorillas to have smaller penises
The cumbersome gorillas, towering above other primates, are rather miniscule in other aspects - specifically, their penises. At an average of 2.8 centimeters, they hold the record for the tiniest privates in the primate kingdom.
Researchers from the University of Buffalo have just uncovered the genetic mutation behind this peculiarity, potentially revealing insights into male infertility.
Alpha Males and Dominance
Male gorillas exhibit greater size than their fellow males, effectively securing sole access to all females.
As Dr. Vincent Lynch, who spearheaded the study, puts it, "There are two ways to compete for partners: They can either use their body or their sperm. Most mammals employ a combination of both. Gorillas solely rely on their body."
Sperm competition alludes to the rivalry among males to fertilize an egg. This arises as male animals produce significantly more sperm than a female's reproductive capacity can handle.
The team surmises that a lack of sperm competition is likely the cause of the male gorillas' measly testicles and low sperm count.
The Gorilla Gene: A Clue to Human Fertility
The investigators' aim? To determine if the genes linking this peculiarity could also clarify why some men struggle to conceive.
"We've identified a set of genes connected to sperm biology that bear the same signature mutations present in gorillas," affirmed Dr. Lynch. "We can then assess if these abnormalities exist in infertile men."
Delving into more than 13,000 genes garnered from 261 mammals, the team detected a 4.3% correspondence to the gorilla gene lineage.
To ascertain the impact of these genes on male fertility, the scientists experimented with deleting them in a common fruit fly. The outcome? This change impaired the reproductive abilities of the male flies.
Finally, the researchers contrasted the gorilla genes with those of 2,100 men who faced issues conceiving and uncovered 109 genes associated with function impairment in the male participants.
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Source: symclub.org